Pests of Lychee Trees The lychee tree is handsome with its dense, round-topped canopy and large, glossy leaves. The tree grows slowly, but it gets both tall and broad in the right location. Flowers are tiny and greenish, and arrive on branch tips in clusters up to 30 inches (75 cm.) long. These develop into loose, drooping clusters of fruit, often a bright strawberry red but sometimes lighter pink. Each has a thin, warty skin that covers the succulent, grape-like fruit....

May in the Upper Midwest From May 4 in Grand Rapids to May 11 in Green Bay, and as late as May 25 in International Falls, this is the month of last frosts in upper Midwest states. It’s time to enjoy spring blooms and get down to the real work of making sure your garden will thrive throughout the growing season. Upper Midwest gardening in May results in big payoffs for the following months....

Mexican Honeysuckle in Gardens Though not related to other “honeysuckle” plants, it is quite easy to see how the visual similarities among Mexican honeysuckle might explain its namesake. Boasting beautiful orange to reddish flowers, Mexican honeysuckle bush will thrive in gardens located in USDA growing zone 9-11. While the plant may behave as a perennial in some climates, warmer regions will see growth patterns similar to that of evergreen shrubs. Unfortunately, for those without frost free climates, the plants will not survive frost or cold temperatures....

What Plants Do Mice Dislike? Most gardeners are concerned with bigger pests, like deer and raccoons, eating their plants or vegetable harvests. Mice can be a big issue as well. They may be small, but mice can make quick work of the plants you have worked hard to grow and nurture. Mice particularly like to nibble on bulbs you’re hoping will bloom in the spring. You may think it’s a mole or a squirrel, but oftentimes the bulb culprit ruining your spring garden is a mouse....

Why Pawpaw Won’t Fruit Perhaps one reason that the delicious pawpaw has not become a big commercial seller is that it is actually difficult to get fruit from the tree’s purple flowers. Pawpaw requires cross pollination, but even with this, it has a low rate of fruit set. Although pawpaw flowers have both male and female reproductive components, a pollinator is needed. Although cross pollination is necessary, getting pollinators to do the job is difficult and is usually the reason behind why there is little to no fruit on a pawpaw in most situations....

Nolana Chilean bell flowers, which resemble morning glory blooms, are available in intense shades of blue, purple, or pink. The underside of the plant’s fleshy leaves excretes salt, which traps moisture and allows the plant to survive in extremely dry desert climates. This low-growing plant is an effective ground cover for difficult areas. How to Grow Chilean Bell Flower Chilean bell flower, which isn’t widely available in nurseries and garden centers, is usually planted by seed....

About Nematode Okra Problems Nematodes are commonly referred to as eelworms and are essential to the harmonic makeup of soil. While most are harmless and break down organic matter or control pests, some suck juices from plant roots. When their numbers are nominal, nematodes rarely do much damage, although the injury made from their feeding can act as a portal to disease. Usually, a healthy balance of fungus, insects, and other predatory insects keep the nematodes in check, but sometimes things are out of balance and the scale shifts....

Can You Kill a Plant From Over Pruning? Although over pruned trees and shrubs don’t usually die if some part of the canopy remains, the damage from over pruning can be extensive. Over pruning reduces the foliage that’s available for making food for the rest of the plant and can allow pests and diseases access to the tree if cuts are made incorrectly. Plants may sprout excessively in response to so much canopy loss, both to protect the bark of the plant from sunscald and to increase food production....

About Pawpaw Tree Pruning Pruning pawpaw trees is not something a gardener should worry about on a daily basis. These are native trees. They have been growing in the wild in bottomlands and along creek banks for centuries without assistance, staying healthy and producing fruit. Pawpaws in the wild are usually understory trees, slender trees with slender branches widely spaced. In sunny locations, they are shorter and denser. While pawpaw trimming can assist in keeping your tree healthy, pruning pawpaw trees should be done sparingly....

Thomas Laxton Pea Plant Info Thomas Laxton is a shelling pea, also known as an English pea. As compared to sugar snap peas, with these varieties you do not eat the pod. You shell them, dispose of the pod, and eat only the peas. Some English varieties are starchy and are best for canning. But Thomas Laxton produces sweet-tasting peas that you can eat fresh and raw or use immediately for cooking....

How Long Do Pear Trees Live? With optimal conditions, wild pear trees can live upwards of 50 years. Among cultivated pears, however, this is rarely the case. Often orchards will replace a pear tree before the end of its natural lifespan when fruit production slows. As fruit trees go, pears have a long period of production, but they will eventually slack and then stop. Many home fruit trees slow down considerably in putting out fruit after 10 years, but pear trees will often outstrip them by quite a few years....

Planting Loquat from Seeds Each loquat fruit contains between 1 and 3 seeds. Break the fruit open and wash the flesh away from the seeds. Loquat seed germination might not be possible if you let them dry out, so it’s best to plant them right away. Even if you’re waiting a day or two, store the seeds wrapped in a damp paper towel. It is possible to store them for up to six months in a vented container of moist sawdust or moss at 40 F....

Are Grapes Self-Fruitful? Whether you need two grapevines for pollination depends on the type of grape you are growing. There are three different types of grapes: American (V. labrusca), European (V. viniferia), and North American native grapes called muscadines (V. rotundifolia). Most bunching grapes are self-fruitful and, thus, do not require a pollinator. That said, they will often benefit from having a pollinator nearby. The exception is Brighton, a common variety of grape that is not self-pollinating....

Why Don’t My Lilacs Have a Scent? When no smell from lilac bushes is apparent, it is usually due to one of two things—non-aromatic species or air temperature. Generally, common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), also known as old-fashioned lilac, possesses the strongest and most pleasing aroma of all lilac species. In fact, it’s usually the medium to dark purple varieties that are the most fragrant. However, there are some species of lilac that either do not have a strong smell or any at all....

What is Rhizoctonia Carnation Rot? If you have rotting carnation plants, you may have the fungus, rhizoctonia. This stem rot on carnations can be prevented by using sterilized soil, but the fungus often reinvades. It is most prevalent in warm, moist conditions, just when your plants are blooming. It can kill the plant in severe infestations and the right conditions. Once rhizoctonia carnation rot is present, treatment may be ineffective. The fungus responsible overwinters in soil....

Signs of Root Rot in Christmas Cactus A holiday cactus with root rot displays wilted, limp, sagging growth, but an inspection of the roots will tell the tale. Remove the plant gently from its pot. If the cactus is affected by rot, the roots will display blackened tips. Depending on the severity of the disease, rotten Christmas cactus roots will be slimy with black or brown decay. If you determine that your Christmas cactus is rotting, it’s critical to act fast....

Reasons for Peace Lilies with Brown and Yellow Leaves Normally, peace lily leaves are long and dark green, emerging directly from the soil and growing up and out. The leaves are strong and oval shaped, narrowing to a point at the tip. They are durable, and often the biggest problem they encounter is that they collect dust and need to be wiped off periodically. Sometimes, however, the edges of peace lily leaves turn a sickly yellow or brown color....

Sunroom for All Seasons A sunroom is a glorious place to enjoy your morning cup of coffee, watch the birds, or grow a wide variety of plants. Sunroom plants are a welcome addition to any sunroom, especially in the dead of winter. Sunrooms allow you to grow a wide variety of plants that, otherwise, would not thrive in your particular climate. Some people enjoy bringing patio plants in after the summer heat passes and allowing them to overwinter in a warm sunroom....

Taking Geranium Plant Cuttings Starting geraniums from cuttings is very easy. One major bonus is the fact that geraniums have no dormant period. They grow continuously throughout the year, which means they can be propagated at any time with no need to wait for a particular time of year, like with most plants. It is better, however, to wait for a lull in the plant’s blooming cycle. When taking cuttings from geranium plants, cut with a pair of sharp shears just above a node, or a swollen part of the stem....

Treating Virus in Cactus Plants Opuntia vulgaris, also known as Opuntia ficus-indica and more commonly as Indian fig prickly pear, is a cactus that produces tasty fruit. The pads of the cactus can be cooked and eaten as well, but the main draw are the edible orange to red fruits. There are a few common Opuntia diseases. Identifying a virus in cactus plants is essential, as some are much more of a problem than others....